Koper Port aims to enhance India-Europe trade route

Slovenia's Port Koper may play an important role in a new trade corridor between India and Europe, known as the IMEEC. Slovenian Minister Tanja Fajon shared this news during her visit to New Delhi for the Raisina Dialogue conference. Fajon noted that direct shipping links could provide economic benefits for Slovenia. The inclusion of Port Koper in the IMEEC might offer a faster and more environmentally friendly route for goods traveling from India to Central and Eastern Europe. According to Fajon, this route avoids the longer Suez Canal and enhances Slovenia's role in global trade. The port serves a large market of 300 million consumers and has been working for years to establish direct shipping connections with India. Indian companies, both large and small, are interested in expanding into European markets, and Slovenia wants to facilitate this process. In 2024, Slovenia and India launched the SITE initiative. This project focuses on collaboration in technology transfer and aims to assist businesses entering each other's markets. Fajon emphasized that the initiative will prioritize innovations in renewable energy, sustainable practices, and digitalization. Slovenia is also advocating for a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and India. Fajon acknowledged that negotiations can be complicated but expressed optimism about recent high-level political meetings that could accelerate discussions. She believes these efforts will strengthen ties between Slovenia and India, particularly in advanced technologies and specialized products.